'First class' Herring and Timoney sign new Ulster deals

Ulster duo Rob Herring and Nick Timoney have committed their futures to the province until the end of 2024-25 season.

The experienced pair signed contracts to prolong their stay at Kingspan Stadium for a further two and a half seasons. Head coach Dan McFarland, hailing the news, described both players as "first class operators".

32-year-old Herring, born in Cape Town and an Ulster players since 2012, has established himself as an international hooker, emerging as Ireland's first choice in the position early in Andy Farrell's reign before being supplanted in the pecking order by Ronan Kelleher for the 2022 Six Nations.

Herring has been, however, an important figure in Farrell's squad, coming off the bench to score the try which sealed the historic series win over New Zealand in the summer.

"I'm delighted to sign on again with Ulster, a province I’m really proud to represent," Herring said on signing his new deal.

"From players to support staff, the club is full of great people whose standards and ambition to win are very high. That’s something I’m excited to continue to be a part of over the next couple seasons."

The Dublin-born back-rower Timoney, twice capped for Ireland, has been at the province since signing as an academy recruit ahead of the 2015-16 season.

The 27-year-old has established himself as a first team regular for the province from 2017 onwards, winning the Player of the Season award for 2020-21 and topping the tackle charts in the URC in the most recent campaign.

"I'm delighted to be extending my time at Ulster," Timoney said.

"We've got an incredibly exciting group at the moment, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the next couple of years."

Head coach McFarland said the pair "exemplify the